One of my favorite sitcoms of all time is Cheers. The half-hour show ran for eleven seasons on NBC. I loved the show’s premise, the characters, and the theme song, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” The lyrics for the last bit of the musical introduction, considered by many to be the greatest TV theme of all time, read as follows:
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name
And they’re always glad you came
You want to be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You want to be where everybody knows your name
The other day at Franklin Academy, a new student was passing me on campus. She stopped, pulled down her COVID mask, and said hi. I said, “Hello, Sarah.” There was a surprised look and a question: “How do you know my name?” My reply? “I know everyone.” Indeed, I spend a lot of time learning names.
Any number of school activities during the opening term focuses on building relationships. One venerable tradition is Amy Bigelow’s introduction of every student and teacher by first name, last name, hometown, and state at a special Community Meeting during the first week. Once again, Amy amazed and inspired us. As a result, I hope that everyone will come to know Franklin Academy as that welcoming school where everyone knows your name, and we’re always glad you came. Click here to see video slideshow highlights as Amy introduced each of us last Saturday.